It’s like something out of a movie: twice in the past five days, swarms of mayflies have shut down the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County. On Saturday night, the bridge closure came after the low visibility from thousands and thousands of flies caused three motorcycle accidents (the injuries were reportedly minor).

Ryan Robinson of Lancaster Online reports today of “a surreal scene” that sounds like an entomological version of the frog scene from Magnolia. Fire Chief Chad Livelsberger told Robinson, “It was like a blizzard in June, but instead of snow, it was mayflies.” There was an inch-think slick of dead flies on the bridge, making cars skid and wheels spin as though the roadway were covered with ice. But the flies weren’t all dead, apparently, since they swarmed again on Sunday night, prompting a second shutdown of the same bridge.

“Weird Al” Yankovic has been promising a tour for quite some time, and now he’s making good on it. Today he released the dates on his “The Mandatory World Tour,” which comprises 100-plus cities, including two stops within driving distance of Philadelphia: Bethlehem and Lancaster.

Kicking off on May 12th in Las Vegas, the tour is in support of his Grammy-nominated 2014 album, Mandatory Fun, which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart. Pre-sale tickets are available via Yankovic’s website starting Tuesday, January 27th, and will be available to the general public on January 30th. For a full list of dates, cast your eyes downward:

Brad Rutter — who used to live in Lancaster — is the all-time Jeopardy! money winner and has never lost on the show, except in a game involving Watson. Wednesday night, he competed in a quarterfinal game of the Jeopardy! all-stars “Battle of the Decades” tournament.

Unlike another local-ish contestant, Rutter wore shoes for his game. He also dominated, finishing with $32,400 before Final Jeopardy! and betting zero. He advances to the semifinals next week.

Rutter is active on Twitter, and so during his game on the East Coast last night he began retweeting his haters! While he has plenty of fans, including baseball player Dexter Fowler and actress Kali Hawk, he also receives a decent amount of Twitter hate. Apparently, when you appear on national syndicated TV, people tweet mean things about you. It happened with Arthur Chu, too!

The Inquirer’s Craig LaBan goes to Lancaster and finds that food scene has come a long way from all-you-can-eat smorgasbords. Now, some of what’s coming out of that fertile land is being served locally in a new crop of restaurants and bars.

One of the more famous shooting locations from Harrison Ford’s mid-80s Amish thriller, Witness, is no more. Lancaster Online reports that W.L. Zimmerman & Sons grocery store in Intercourse has closed down.

Reisman’s Pretzel Company — the “Toast of Philadelphia,” the “Twist of Quality” — was founded in 1917 in South Philadelphia, though it later moved its headquarters to Pennsauken, NJ. The company was very successful, expanding beyond Pennsylvania and into Ohio and New England. CEO Max Reisman was responsible for the invention and development of the peanut-butter-filled pretzel.

Reisman Pretzel Company no longer exists, but this Wynnefield Tudor is said to have been the residence of some part of the Reisman family. Another speculative detail about the home: the extensive ironwork — the entry rail, lantern, window coverings, entry door hardware, interior stair rail and four interior chandeliers — is believed to be by a Samuel Yellin protege. Other standout details: multiple fireplaces; library/solarium; stained glass windows. It’s obviously ready to be returned to its former grandeur, though, as the listing notes, it “is in need of a loving restoration.” Price: $380,000. Gallery after the jump.

Been shut out of all the good times and best restaurants for Center City’s Restaurant Week? Well then head to the country!

From September 11th to 17th enjoy the best restaurants in Pennsylvania Dutch Country for Lancaster County Restaurant Week. The deal will sound familiar, get three courses from a special meal for just $30. Over 30 restaurants are participating. And there are special overnight packages available as well.